Lake Zurich turns to Buffalo Grove for new police chief

Buffalo Grove Deputy Police Chief Steve Husak will be recommended to take over as Lake Zurich's top cop.

Lake Zurich Mayor Thomas Poynton will seek village board confirmation for his recommendation to hire Husak as police chief at the meeting Monday, March 17. Husak has been with the Buffalo Grove Police Department since 1988.

Provided Husak receives the necessary support, he would be sworn in at the village board's April 7 session, according to an announcement Monday.

Husak served a stint as Buffalo Grove's interim police chief after Steve Balinski's retirement in 2013. He returned to his deputy chief post, which he's had since 2011, after Steven Casstevens left Cary to become Buffalo Grove's top cop.

Lake Zurich officials said Husak was selected from a nationwide search that attracted 100 qualified candidates to replace Police Chief Patrick Finlon, who retired late last year. Deputy Chief Kevin Finlon has been leading the Lake Zurich department since his brother retired in November.

Poynton called Husak the right candidate with important leadership qualities and law-enforcement experience. Husak could not be reached for comment after Monday's announcement from Lake Zurich.

"In addition to working in nearby Northwest suburban communities," Poynton said, "he has obvious talent, professional commitment, concern for residents and perhaps, most importantly, a clear vision that will lead the Lake Zurich Police Department as tomorrow's premier community law enforcement agency."

Village Manager Jason Slowinski praised Husak's recent achievements in receiving a master's degree in public administration from Northern Illinois University and additional training at the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va.

Husak, who worked his way from patrol officer to deputy chief in Buffalo Grove, would head a police department that has 34 sworn cops and 14 civilian employees. Lake Zurich's current police budget is $8.1 million.

Village officials said issues likely to be on Husak's plate include seeking opportunities for partnerships or negotiating service agreements -- including dispatch services -- with area law-enforcement agencies, analyzing department operations and negotiating collective bargaining agreements with the Fraternal Order of Police.

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